Patents by Inventor Robert E. Gurney

Robert E. Gurney has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5471743
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which facilitate separation of a gas turbofan powerplant into modules for shipping, maintenance and repair is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which provide means for mounting a fan cowling to an engine core in a manner which permits transference of operational loads from the fan cowling to the engine core and separation of the fan cowling from the engine core. In one embodiment, a fan cowling (46) is attached to an engine core (18) by a plurality of radially extending through struts (64). The through struts include a bolted joint (72) which permits separation of a powerplant (12) into a first module and a second module. For this embodiment, a method for varying between an assembled and disassembled condition is comprised of manipulating the joints between an engaged and disengaged position and axially moving the separate modules along a longitudinal centerline (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Munroe, Karl D. Blume, Robert E. Gurney
  • Patent number: 5224341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus which facilitate separation of a gas turbofan powerplant into modules for shipping, maintenance and repair is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which provide means for mounting a fan cowling to an engine core in a manner which permits transference of operational loads from the fan cowling to the engine core and separation of the fan cowling from the engine core. In one embodiment, a fan cowling (46) is attached to an engine core (18) by a plurality of radially extending through struts (64). The through struts include a bolted joint (72) which permits separation of a powerplant (12) into a first module and a second module. For this embodiment, a method for varying between an assembled and disassembled condition is comprised of manipulating the joints between an engaged and disengaged position and axially moving the separate modules along a longitudinal centerline (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Munroe, Karl D. Blume, Robert E. Gurney